Sacred temple bursts into flames after tourist makes devastating mistake
A sacred temple in Jiangsu, China went up in flames after a visitor made a devastating mistake while visiting the site.
The unfortunate incident took place at Wenchang Pavilion, on Fenghuang Mountain in Zhangjiagang on Wednesday, with the three story structure having been engulfed by flames from top to bottom at around 11am local time.
Officials thankfully were able to confirm that there were no casualties, and the blaze was contained enough to not spread to the dense surrounding forest areas.
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However, the destruction left in the aftermath shows the scale of the disaster, with the portions of the roof collapsing in video shared on social media.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is now in progress, however, early findings indicate that the fire was likely caused by a visitor’s improper use of candles and incense at the historic site.
Authorities also assured that the pavilion, built in October 2009, contained no cultural relics and no significant historic trinkets were lost.
The current pavilion was commissioned back in 2008 – completed in 2009 – built with a reinforced concrete frame and is one of several modern constructions on the site.
The structure had been managed by the neighbouring Yongqing Temple after completion, with the original Yongning Temple dating back over 1500 years.
The original temple was built in 536 in the Southern Liang dynasty on Fenghuang Mountain.
It also carries the significance of being one of the ‘four hundred eighty splendid temples’ of the Southern Dynasties in the poem composed by the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu.
Wenchang Pavilion in particular, was one part of the temple that housed the hermitage of Shi Nai’an at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and was the place where he wrote Water Margin, a novel that is considered one of the four masterpieces of Chinese literature.
at Yongqing Temple, a 1,500-year-old historic site in Zhangjiagang, #Jiangsu, on Nov 12. The blaze, reportedly in a replica ancient-style building, is now mostly under control with no casualties reported. #China
A #fire broke out at Yongqing Temple, a 1,500-year-old historic site in Zhangjiagang, #Jiangsu, on Nov 12. The blaze, reportedly in a replica ancient-style building, is now mostly under control with no casualties reported. #China pic.twitter.com/keTHVpXpp4
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) November 12, 2025
rent temple, however, was rebuilt in the 1990s.
As the investigation continues, local authorities have pledged to take further action depending on its findings, while also strengthening existing safety measures in place to reduce the risk of another catastrophic blaze.
The latest fire comes just two years after flames ripped through a centuries-old temple in China, almost reducing the building to a pile of ash.
Shandan Great Buddha Temple in Gansu province’s Shandan County was decimated by a fire back in 2023, with a giant Buddha statue engulfed by flames.
Although the fire was successfully put out and the statue appeared to remain partially intact, the surrounding structures had been destroyed.
Tourist attacked by locals and arrested after climbing world-famous sacred Mayan temple
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Published 17:05 26 Mar 2025 GMT
Tourist attacked by locals and arrested after climbing world-famous sacred Mayan temple
The holidaymaker and another attendee could pay fines of up to $7,446.20 after running up the Temple of Kukulcán in Mexico
Ella Scott
Ella Scott
A German holidaymaker and another man have been arrested in Mexico for climbing a Mesoamerican pyramid during a four-day spring equinox celebration.
The Temple of Kukulcán, known also as El Castillo, is one of the most iconic buildings in Chichen Itza, Yucatan state.
Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the archaic building is thought to have been built to help the Mayans with their astrological endeavours while paying tribute to the feathered serpent god, Kukulcán.
Last week, between 8,000 and 9,000 tourists flocked to the ancient temple’s base to observe the spring equinox and witness the iconic light and shadow phenomenon that takes place each year, according to local news outlet Mexico News Daily.
Two people have been arrested for scaling the Mayan Temple (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Two people have been arrested for scaling the Mayan Temple (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
One person who headed to the four-day-long celebration was a 38-year-old German man, who officials have yet to officially name, as reported by Fox News.
In video footage, obtained by Sky News, the tourist decided that visiting the site wasn’t enough—he wanted to scale the steps of the pyramid to reach an inside chamber.
However, before he was able to scramble inside, he was apprehended and led away from the historic site by officials.
It’s understood that as the traveller was escorted from the premises of the Maya temple by Mexican National Guard officers and National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) personnel, he was attacked by people in the crowd.
“You are not allowed to go up the temple!” one onlooker could be heard in the clip, according to a translation.
Meanwhile, another angry person called the man ‘stupid’ and an ‘idiot’.
As well as being yelled at for trespassing, some watchers began reaching for the man, hitting him, and claiming he should have been ‘sacrificed’, as per tradition in ancient Maya civilization.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site reports that it has been illegal for visitors to climb the pyramid since 2008. This is due to previous scalers causing significant damage to the building.
“The decision to ban climbing ensures that the pyramid remains intact for future generations to admire and study,” the website states.
“The pyramid’s steep steps make climbing a risky activity. Before the ban, there were numerous reports of visitors losing their footing and sustaining injuries. The prohibition on climbing not only protects the structure but also safeguards visitors from potential accidents.”
The apprehended man and another tourist were arrested for climbing the nearly 1,000-year-old structure.
They both face potential fines under Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones of Mexico, according to Mexico News Daily.
“Any violation of this Law or its Regulations, which is not provided for in this chapter, will be sanctioned by the competent Institutes, with a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand pesos; which they may challenge through the appeal for reconsideration, under the terms of the Regulations of this Law,” the legislation reads.
It should be noted that 150,000 pesos is around $7,446.20.
Oil tanker bursts into flames after colliding with cargo ship leaving at least 32 casualties
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A US oil tanker reportedly burst into flames after colliding with a ship off the coast of England this morning, leaving at least 32 casualties.
A major maritime rescue mission is currently underway in the North Sea just off the East Yorkshire coast in the UK after two vessels, including one reportedly carrying jet fuel, collided earlier this morning.
HM Coastguard told the BBC that the incident occurred near the Humber Estuary, with the alarm raised around 9.48am today (Monday, March 10).
ravelled from Greece, and the Portuguese-flagged container ship, MV Solong, that had been travelling from Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the news outlet reports.
It is believed the oil tanker carrying the highly flammable substance was stationary when the Solong collided with it.
Port of Grimsby East, confirmed 13 casualties were initially brought to shore, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat and a further nine in another rescue.
Both vessels are reportedly still burning in the blaze while several crew members remain unaccounted for after fleeing into the waters to avoid its ‘massive fire ball.’
The RNLI said there had been reports of people abandoning the vessels to get away from the flames, and audio footage of the emergency calls further reveals crew had make the decisions to abandon the ships.
In the call, the distressed caller says: “Solong collided with tanker Stena Immaculate. Both vessels are abandoning,” as per The Sun.
“Vessels who have firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue, contact Humber Coastguard on [radio] channel 16.
“Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying Jet A1 fuel, which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.”
Boyers added: “It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have seen the vessels bringing them in.
“They must have sent a mayday out – luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.
“Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.”
The condition of the casualties currently remain unclear.
A spokesperson for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch also told the BBC: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to Grimsby following the collision of the Portuguese registered container ship Solong and the US registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate which collided in the North Sea this morning.
“Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.”